Best Deal?

[BubblesandSqueak]

Which one of these cages does everyone think is big enough, easy to clean and looks safe?
http://www.ukpets247.co.uk/acatalog/Pet ... ds_13.html (http://www.ukpets247.co.uk/acatalog/Pet_Shop_Other_Brands_13.html)

http://www.ukpets247.co.uk/acatalog/Pet ... il_17.html (http://www.ukpets247.co.uk/acatalog/Pet_Shop_Crittertrail_17.html)

http://www.ukpets247.co.uk/acatalog/Pet ... ak_19.html (http://www.ukpets247.co.uk/acatalog/Pet_Shop_Rotastak_19.html)

[suga]

It will depend on the breed of hamster you get. I have looked at some of the cages previously for my two. One of mine is in a single plastic bottom with wire bars (type lid) on top which is great for climbing on - although does get used for chewing too. My other one is in a plastic bottom cage, with plastic sides and a wire lid. I had to get this type of cage as she constantly destroys things. Both of these are ferplast brand and appear to be quite good.

I did have a rotastack type cage, but found it was too small and that was at times quite difficult to clean. Cages with multiple levels can be a little dangerous as hamsters can fall from the top and injure themselves badly.

Bin cages are very popular and there is a link on this website to show you how to make them - there is also a ton of experience on this webforum, with people who have made them. I'd probably consider something like that if I was starting out again.

You will get lots of other comments I'm sure so hopefully you will get plenty of info to help you make your decision.

[Holly]

Out of all the cages in all three of your links I'd go for the Imac Fantasy - I don't have one but I've seen them in a local pethsop and they are pretty big (especially with the extension).

I wouldn't touch the Crittertrails and I'll never buy Rotastak again - they are just too small and cramped for the poor hammies that live in them - and too hard to clean out properly as well.

Have you seen Zoozone cages and Gabber Rex cages yet? In my humble opinion (200 quid or so later) these offer the best options for Syrians or dwarf hamsters - lots of floor space and a nice big area to run around in.

[BubblesandSqueak]

Thank you!

I will look into the ZooZone and Gabber Rex cages.
The IMAC Fantasy doesn't look like it has room for lots and lots of toys... I'll will see.
Also, thanks Suga for all the useful advice! :lol:

[Holly]

I think the Imac is deceptive in pictures - I always think it's the pink bit that makes me think it's small, don't know why!

I found a Gabber Rex for you:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Criceto-Rex-XL-De ... dZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Criceto-Rex-XL-Delux-Hamster-Cage_W0QQitemZ250111328527QQihZ015QQcategoryZ1286Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

There are lots of colours - here are ours:

Sparrow and Turner (Dwarf Winter Whites) share this one (it's now a bit different with two cocnut houses and two wodent wheels):

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o209/Holly_Day/IMG_4456.jpg

This is Mocha's (linked to a smaller Gabber Lux - long story):

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o209/Holly_Day/IMG_4408.jpg

While we are at it I'll show you Treacle and Custards' cages - they started with the Rotastaks which proved to be hopelessly small - I had to extend them in order to give them a decent sized wheel as well as more space:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o209/Holly_Day/140_4038_r1.jpg

Good luck with the cages - coming here before buying will hopefully stop you wasting money as I did!

[Basia]

I have 2 Imacs and a Gabber Rex and would recommend both of them. They are nice big cages with room for toys and large wheels (if you have a syrian). The only thing with the Gabber Rex is that the hamsters can't climb or be fed through the bars and they do seem to like that. My Sid comes up to the plastic wall to see me though. The drawback to the wire cages is that some hamsters chew them constantly.
I also have a Savic Cambridge cage which is sold in Pets@Home. That too is a nice roomy cage.
My other cage is one that I have only seen at a small local petshop. It is a Karly Trixie cage and although it doesn't look much in the photo I have posted on another thread, it is a very large cage with a nice deep bottom to keep the bedding in. My hamster seems very happy in it. It was also a bargain at £20.
Good luck with your cage search. I learnt the hard way by buying a totally unsuitable cage to start with and then came really close to buying rotostack before I found this forum so good for you for doing your research first. :D

[BubblesandSqueak]

The drawback to the wire cages is that some hamsters chew them constantly.

^ As to my knownledge, I know that this could harm a hamsters teeth, he either wants something to chew (buy a toy) or is bored, and wants to come out and play.

Thanks for all your information everyone! I was sooo tempted by the Rotostack cages!!! They look wonderful, but obviously, looks aren't everything :wink:. Thanks for you're useful advice, and Holly for your time, taking those pictures :lol: They were really useful, to see all the sizes and all, especially the last one... I mean... WHOA! :D

[lau200]

i would recommend a fantasy for a dwarf, Summer loves hers but for a syrian you may need an extension. i also have a gabber rex for Lavender which is fab and two zoo zone 1s, which i personally think are the best cage ever... spacious and really easy to clean! :)

[BubblesandSqueak]

Right now, for me everything is pointing to the IMAC Fantasy + Extension.
Is there anyway to add tubes and things to the Gabber Rex or Zoo Zone?

[Holly]

Is there anyway to add tubes and things to the Gabber Rex or Zoo Zone?

I don't know about Zoozones but you can add tubes to the Gabber Rex as I've done above - by using a FOP adaptor (order from your petshop). The only thing I'd say is that a dwarf wouldn't be able to climb tubes like my Mocha has got - and some Syrians get too big for tubes and can get stuck.

[BubblesandSqueak]

Is there anyway to add tubes and things to the Gabber Rex or Zoo Zone?

I don't know about Zoozones but you can add tubes to the Gabber Rex as I've done above - by using a FOP adaptor (order from your petshop). The only thing I'd say is that a dwarf wouldn't be able to climb tubes like my Mocha has got - and some Syrians get too big for tubes and can get stuck.

O, right. I love the tubes! If I got a smallish Syrian, I don't think he'll get stuck...
Also, what do you think about CritterTrails?

[Holly]

Also, what do you think about CritterTrails?

I really dislike them - sorry! I think, like Rotastak, they are designed for human amusement rather than hamster comfort and that they are all too small and cramped. There are people who say "oh well, I'll link several together" - I don't think this is great either - you then have lots of small, cramped areas joined together instead of a nice big running area.

Once you've seen a fully grown hamster hunched up in one of these cages, running with his back arched on a wheel that's too small for him you get the message - I did with the Rotastaks and I wouldn't buy anything like that ever again. I think Treacle and Custard are happy enough in their cages but I'd have preferred (with hindsight) to have got them a Gabber rex or Zoozone. Also remember the cost - the full price for T and C's linked cages would be about a hundred pounds - each!!!!! (I did get them cheaper via ebay).



With regard to the tubes - all of our hamsters are now fully grown and they all fit the standard tubes fine. I've seen huge hamsters at shows who definitely wouldn't though!

[Basia]

The Imac is on offer at Tesco direct at the moment, you can get the cage plus an extension for £35. You may have to pay postage on top or they can be collected from some Tesco stores.
The Imac tubes are quite large, not sure breeder hamsters would get through them though, but there is always the option of taking the disc thing out of the floor which leaves a big hole then putting something underneath for them to climb up on.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/gdb234/cages012.jpg
As you can see I used part of a savic sputnic house and Basil preferred to climb up through that than use the tubes.

[BubblesandSqueak]

It's really cool, great idea! I could maybe use a mini ladder?

[souffle]

The only trouble with an Imac is if you get a bar chewer. We too have everyone in a Gaber rex. They really are good for space, acessability for taming and the hams love climbing on the platform. We have a couple who have the toys with a sort of house and tube thing to climb through. We have some who would not get through those tubes! Also tubes tend to tempt them to scurry in there and then you cant get them out which can be a real pain.
Rotastacks are not suitable for hams in my opinion. They are small, stuffy and have too many hidey holes and make taming a nightmare. One crittertrail is too small for a syrian. Hope you find one to your liking soon :lol: